Some of the best moments in life are set to a superb soundtrack. That’s why we’re diving into local music history to learn your Lakeland concert memories.
Have a story worth sharing? Tell us all about it here. Then, make more memories by catching an upcoming show listed on our community calendar.
Music memories
“We were in high school and it was amusing that it was at a drive-in. But anytime someone came to town to put on a show, we were there. The RP Funding Center was not open yet.” — Marlene, on Bob Seger’s Silvermoon Drive-In show in 1973
“U2 opened their tour there in the 90s. They did a sound check for about 30 people. That’s where I met my husband in high school.” — @peppermintbee on the RP Funding Center
“Jimmy Buffett came on early morning, around 4 a.m., in between Leon Redbone and Pure Prairie League. [In] my recollection, it was amazing and Jimmy may have been drinking!” — Mark R., on the Florida Sunfest musical festival of 1977
“Dave Brubeck live at Florida Southern College in 2004, [who] performed at age 83 even while not feeling well. Myself and my kids (who had grown up listening to me play ‘Time Further Out’ on the record player, over and over again) were blown away! A milestone memory — truly amazing!” — BB
“Bob Seger at the Civic Center. It was back in I believe 1974. Pure Prairie League was there as well. Also Dan Fogelberg. I handed him a rose because I was in the front row! Good times!” — Dawn E.
“Triumph and Bad Company at the Lakeland (Civic) Center in 1986. Triumph was the first concert I ever saw with lasers!” — Eric H.
“Once I saw the group Starbuck sing their one-hit wonder, ‘Moonlight Feels Right!’ At the Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College!” — Linda F.
Bands like Air Supply, pictured here in 1983, often stopped at the Lakeland Civic Center, now known as the RP Funding Center.
Photo via Florida Memory
“Hello!!?? U2? ‘Achtung Baby’? Kick off the Zoo TV Tour? I was there!! 1992!” — @jdavidsapp on the RP Funding Center
“I saw Price and The Time at the Lakeland Civic Center with my cousins. I just remember how much fun I had as a 16-year-old hanging out.” — Carolyn B.
“Nirvana! 1993! RP Funding Center. It was amazing! It was GA and my friends and I were in the front!” — Vicky S.
“For King & Country at the Silvermoon Drive-In during Covid! So fun to see their buses and to ‘tailgate’ for an amazing night of worship outside during such trying times!” — Angel T.
“Willie Nelson at the Lakeland Center mid-80s. I was in college.” — Madonna J.
“I do remember waking at sunrise to Richie Havens singing ‘Here Comes the Sun’ and watching people start popping up from the field, like flowers blooming to the music.” — Linda A. on the Florida Sunfest
“We saw Don Williams at the Lakeland Civic Center in 1976, and my biggest treat was going to dinner at the Foxfire restaurant before going to see the gentle giant. He was amazing and one of my fondest memories.” — Carol Y.
“Drove with my best friend and little brother from St. Pete to see Elvis for the first time in 1973 or ’74 at the old Civic Center. I remember we had floor seating so we had trouble seeing, but he sounded great!” — Cindy L.
“Saw Peter Frampton at the Lakeland Civic Center around 1976.” — Debbie P.
“One night, Dan Hill was passing through and stopped at Foxfire Inn in north Lakeland and sang his famous song for us there, ‘Sometimes When We Touch.’” — Linda F.
“Prince and The Revolution, Purple Rain Tour, Lakeland Civic Center, April 1985. It was AWESOME! We all were standing and dancing, Sheila E was one of his guests.” — Marie L.
“I saw Boston at the Lakeland Civic Center in 1976. It was a great concert.” — David D.
Editor’s note: Some responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
